Near Elko in Elko County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The California Emigrant Trail Interpretive Center
The long journey on foot or in wagons traversed more than half of the distance across the United States. Emigrants crossed the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Sierra Nevada mountains to reach their promised land. There is a good possibility that you are standing on land that at one time showed the ruts of the trail, for each year it moved a little to the north of south to avoid the dusty trail of the previous year.
The early history of the Humboldt River valley is about much more than the California Trail. It is also about the native Indian tribes who lived along the river. These groups, mainly Western Shoshone and Paiute, together with earlier hunter-gatherer people, lived in this area at least 8,000 years before the wagon trains—the native peoples called them "dust snakes"—came this way and changed these ancient cultures forever. The California Emigrant Trail Interpretive Center also features displays about this important part of Native American history.
(Drawing Caption)
"They (the emigrants) came like a lion, yes like a roaring lion, and have continued so ever since, and I have never forgot their first coming."
Sarah Winnemucca—Paiute
Erected by Bureau of Land Management.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail series list.
Location. 40° 46.024′ N, 115° 55.357′ W. Marker is near Elko, Nevada, in Elko County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 80 at milepost 292, on the right when traveling west. To visit the marker, exit I-80 at Exit 292 (Hunter) and follow the directional signs to the California Emigrant Trail Interpretive Center; the marker is at the gated entrance to the Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elko NV 89801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Humboldt River Highway (here, next to this marker); About Your Journey ... (here, next to this marker); The End of the Hastings Cutoff (here, next to this marker); Marking Time (a few steps from this marker); California Trail - Greenhorn Cutoff (within shouting distance of this marker); West End of Hastings Cutoff (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hoppe-Lienhard Wagon Group (approx. 0.2 miles away); California Trail - Carlin Canyon (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elko.
Also see . . . California Trail Interpretive Center Website. (Submitted on August 10, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.